Fluid actuated control and operating mechanisms



March 25; 1958 H. R. HILL FLUID ACTUATED CONTROL AND OPERATINGMECHANISMS Filed Dec. 7, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet l QQ Q 3 \Q g E 3 1 t MM MM572 By 7 27 J Atmrneys March 25, 1958 H. R. HILL 7 7 2,827,767

FLUID ACTUATED CONTROL AND OPERATING MECHANISMS Filed Dec. 7, 1955 9Sheets-Sheet 2 47 44 43 4/ 46 llnnwsnnunnnwlgm 771 4 77k UlZ' wAttorpeysMarch 25, 1958 H. R. HILL FLUID ACTUATED CONTROL. AND OPERATINGMECHANISMS Filed Dec. 7, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Inventor 5 Q3 @W Q, \lfxwI fi NwNm Q. R Q a Q a B NQQE s 0 1 p a 0 Q 1\\m v .Q L s u fl is s u M.m W Q w- Q? Q? Q if u 5 7 3 .3 g 3 .3 Q 2 E Ma Paula J-(nl y zvifiwAttorney H. R. HILL March 25, 1958 FLUID ACTUATED CONTROL ANDOPERATING MECHANISMS Filed Dec. 7, 1955 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 H. R. HILL2,827,767

FLUID ACTUATED CONTROL AND OPERATING MECHANISMS 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 March25, 1958 Filed Dec. 7, 1955 7 lnvenfar /AW RW1CL mu By 7fl 4 13Mflttorneys Mamh 9 H. R. HILL 2,827,767

FLUID ACTUATED CONTROL AND OPERATING MECHANISMS Filed Dec. 7, 1955 9Sheets-Sheet a F/ga Inventor H ry R nald. H' LL y 7% W flkZU/MWA ttorney 5 March 25, 1958 H. R. HILL 2,827,767

FLUID ACTUATED CONTROL AND OPERATING MECHANISMS Filed Dec. 7, 1955 9Sheets-Sheet '7 17 I I O 4/0 203 206 2r ff 7 20g LL j 20/ 255 234 204 C;fi 207 Inbentor I H. R. HILL 2,827,767

FLUID ACTUATED CONTROL AND OPERATING MECHANISMS 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 March25, 1958 Filed Dc. 7, 1955 Inventor Po rm. y

Harry 777 BMW. ftorney United States Patent FLUID ACTUATED CGNTROL AND@FERATFNG lVlECHANISMS Harry Ronald Hill, Plymouth, Devon, England,assigno-r to Tecalemit Limited, Brentford, England Application December7, 1955, Serial No. 551,697

24 Claims. (Cl. 69-?7) This invention relates to control apparatus andis more particularly concerned with the provision of such apparatuswhich is, at least in part, fluid operated.

The invention has for its principal object the provision of novel orimproved control apparatus which is adapted to control a mechanism or anumber of mechanisms in order to obtain a pre-determined sequence orarrangement of operations of the latter. A further object of theinvention is the provision of such apparatus which can be so constructedand arranged that an automatic check is provided of the correctcompletion of the operations of the controlled mechanism or mechanisms.

According to the invention a control apparatus is provided forcontrolling in a pre-determined manner a number of operations of amechanism or mechanisms utilising a master control unit and one or moreslave control units each of which initiates the said mechanism or one ofthe said mechanisms and is connected with the master unit by means of acontrol line, wherein the master control unit comprises a sensingassembly having a piurality of fluid ports adapted to register withperforations in a perforated sensing member positioned in contact withthe assembly, to allow the passage of a sensing fluid through the ports,and one or more fluid-operated devices, the or each of which, whenoperated by the said sensing fluid passing through a perforation,produces a signal which is transmitted along the control line to theslave control unit to cause the latter to actuate the correspondingmechanism.

The sensing member may take the form of a plate or other sheet memberwhich is formed with a desired pattern of perforations adapted toproduce the simultaneous operation of a number of individual mechanisms,which are selected by the pattern of the perforations in relation to theposition of the fluid ports in the sensing assembly. It is preferred,however, to make use of an elongated sensing member, which isadvantageously in the form of an endless belt (or which may consist of anumber of individual belts) and to provide indexing mechanism forfeeding this belt (or belts) forwardly in a step by step manner, inorder to bring successive perforations opposite selected portscontrolling one or a number of related mechanisms, so that as the beltis indexed forwardly the various mechanisms are caused to carry out anumber of operations in a sequence and timed relationship which aredetermined by the positions of the perforations in the belt or belts.

As the sensing fluid either a gas or a liquid may be employed, but it ispreferred to use compressed air.

For the control lines it is preferred to use a fluid, such as liquid orgas, pressure changes in which are transmitted to the slave controlunits along small-diameter pipes, which form the control lines. Thiscontrol fluid may be the same as, or different from, the sensing fluid.For example, compressed air could be used for the sensing fluid and a.liquid, such as oil, for the control fluid. When a control fluid is usedthe aforesaid fluid-operated devices will take the form of valvescontrolling the pressure or flow of this fluid, as supplied to thecontrol lines,

It is also possible, however, to make use of other means, such aselectrical means, to provide the control medium for operating the slavecontrol units from the master control.

It is a further important feature of this invention that means may beprovided, responsive to the completion by the, or each of, the aforesaidmechanisms of a pro-determined operation, for transmitting a returnsignal back to the master control unit. Accordmg to the invention thisreturn signal may be transmitted back to the master control unit alongthe same control line which was used for the transmission of the initialcontrol signal.

In the case of apparatus in which a movable control belt is used, whichis indexed forward in order to produce a pre-determined sequence ofoperations of the controlled mechanisms, it is preferred to providemeans associated with the indexing mechanism which will allow the latterto operate only after return signals have been received from all theslave control units to which control signals were previouslytransmitted, so that the fact that the indexing mechanism operatesprovides a positive indication that all the controlled mechanisms havecompleted their required operations.

The indexing mechanism may be arranged to operate autmatically or solelyunder external control. Alternatively, however, means, which may becontrolled by the position of perforations in the sensing member, may beprovided for causing the indexing mechanism to cause the carrying out ofa pre-determined sequence of opera tions automatically, after whichfurther operation of the indexing mechanism is dependent on someexternal control.

The invention will now be more fully described, by way of example, asapplied to a control apparatus which is operated by air under pressureand which comprises a master control unit which is connected by means ofindividual air pipe lines to a required number of slave control units,each of which latter is arranged to control a particular mechanism, themaster control unit being designed to operate in conjunction with asensing member or control medium in the form of an endless perforatedbelt in order to obtain a predetermined sequence of operations of thesaid mechanisms.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a front elevational view of the master control unit, showingparticularly those parts which are mounted on the front of the faceplate of the unit;

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view taken on the line Il-ll of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail view from the rear, showing part of the mechanismwhich is mounted on the front of the face plate of the unit;

Figure 4 is a rear View, taken partly in section, showing particularlythe parts which are mounted on the back of the face plate of the unitshown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view, taken on the line VV of Figure 4,showing the main actuating valve of the master control unit;

Figure 6 is a plan view showing part of a sensing belt which may be usedin the apparatus of Figures 1 to 5',

Figure 7 is a plan view showing part of a modified form of belt, anumber of which belts could be used in place of the single belt shown inFigure 6;

Figures 8 to 11 are diagrammatic sectional views illustrating theconstruction and operation of head and base valve assemblies forming thesensing mechanism of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 5, when usedwith the belt shown in Figure 6;

Figure 12 is a general diagrammatic view showing the connection of themaster control unit with three slave of a double-acting ram mechanism;

v pillar14 mounted on the corresponding plate.

'ment of the screw or screws 13 enablesthe tension of the belt 9 to beadjusted, while it also makes possible the removal of the belt and itsreplacement by a 1 Figures 13 to lrare partly-diagrammatic sectionalviews of enact the slave control units of Figure 12, showing successivestages in the operation thereof;

Figure 17 is a general view showing how the apparatus i of the inventionmay be applied to the control of a turret lathe.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 5,

tea suitable support, or to a removable backlplate (not shown), by meansof studs 2. The front plate 1 (and ithe back plate. if used) areprovided with bearings for the shafts 3 and 4 of two belt drums 5 and 6respectively,

and with a hearing or bearingsfor a shaft 7 on which an auxiliary roller3 is rotatably mounted. An endless perforated sensing belt 9, which ispreferably made of thin flexiblesheet metal, is trained about therollers.5, 6'

the master control 7 -unit comprises a main face plate 1 which isattached andS'and constitutes the control medium for the master icontrol unit. Theldrum 5 is keyed to the shaft 3 and is provided withprojections 10 which engage in sprocket holes 11 (Figure 6) formed inthe belt 9, in order to provide apositive drive for the latter.

The bearings for the shaft 4 are'provided by a block I or blocks 12(Figure 4) which is or are longitudinally adjustable in the face plate 1(and the back plate if used), each under the control of a screw 13passing through a Adjust- 15,- in order that the head '17 may be raisedand lowered away from and into engagement with the belt 9, as will bedescribed.

7 Referring more particularly to Figures l to 3, indexing mechanism isprovided for raising and lowering the head 17 and for rotating the drum5 in a step-by-step manner, so as to index the belt 9 forwardly,comprising a double acting air operating cylinder 19 which is mounted onthe front of the plate 1. The piston rod 20 of this cylinder isconnected by means of a bridge 21 to a tubular slide 22, which slide islongitudinally slidable on a rod 23 p which is mounted by means ofbrackets 24 on the plate 1. The slide 22 also includes a yoke piece 25which is formed with a longitudinal slot.26 and with an under neath camface 27. A roller 28 mounted ona crank arm 29 engages the cam face-27. 1

The crank arm 25? is secured to the shaft 7, which also carries a pairof additional crank arms 30 (Figure 4). These'engage'by means of rollers31 with the lower ends of the pillar 18. in this way the head 17 israised and lowered by the reciprocation of. the yoke piece 25 Q producedby the operating cylinder 19.

Rigidly secured to the shaft 3 of the drum 5 is a l boss 32 (Figures 1and 2) carrying in front an indexing ratchet disc33 and behind this anotched locking disc '34, which discs are secured to each other and tothe boss 32 by means of studs 35. Freely rotatable on the central flange3610f the boss 32, between the discs 33 and 34, is an'oscillating driveplate 37." An indexing pawl 381's pivoted by melansvof a stud 39 to theplate 37 and is I biassed into engagementwith the teeth of the ratchetdisc 33 by means of atension spring 40, the end of which is connected tothe plate 37.

i A fixed carrierplate. 41 is secured to the plate 1 and carries, bymeans ofa pivot bolt 42, a pivoted locking pawl 43 and a trip lockingpawl 44. These pawls are rotatable relatively to one another through alimited angle which is determined by the engagement of the end of a. setscrew 45, which isscrewed in the hub of the belt 9 passes between a basevalve pawl 43, in a part-circumferential" slot (not'shown) which isformed in the sleeve portion 46 of the pawl. ,A helical spring 47 whichis connected between the head of the bolt 42 and the trip locking pawl44 biasses the latter in a counterclockwise direction. 7

A tension spring 48 connected between the set screw and the carrierplate 41 biasses the locking pawl 43 into engagement with the notches 49in the locking disc 34 but e pawl 43 is adapted to be disengaged fromthe disc by the engagement of the trip locking pawl 44 by. a projectingcam part 50 on the drive plate 37. during a clockwise rotation of thelatter (as viewed in'Figure l).

The resulting anti-clockwise turning of the pawl is positivelytransmitted to the pawl 43 by the engagement of the end of the aforesaidpart-circumferential slot in the former against the end of the set screw45; 7

During the return anti-clockwise rotation of the drive plate 37. the campart 59 engages the trip locking pawl 44 and first turns the latterclockwise 'relatively'to the locking pawl 43, against-theforce of thespring 47, until the pawl 43 can engage in the next succeeding notch ofthe disc 34.

It will thus be seen that. an angular oscillation of.

the drive plate 37, by an angular amount corresponding-to the angulardistance between the teeth 51 of the ratchet disc 33, produces astep-by-step rotation or indexing of.

the drum 5, which latter is held stationary during the return movementsof the drive plate 37 by the locking' pawl 43.

The oscillation of the drive plate 37 is 'efl'fected'fiom the yoke piece25 by-means of a connecting rod 52 (Figure l). This rod is pivoted'atone end to a slide 53 mounted in the slot 26 in the yoke piece 25, inorder to, provide a lost-motion connection, while its other end ispivoted at 54 to a projecting part 55 Which'is secured by means of studs56 to the drive plate 37. The lostmotion connection provided by theslide 53 operating in the slot 26 provides for the piston 20 making alonger stroke than is, required for operating the drive plate 37 andresults in the indexing motion of the drum 5 7 being efiected during thelatter part only of the outward viewed in Figure l) of the piston stroke(to the left as rod 20. a

The connecting rod 52 is formed intwo parts, which V are connectedtogether by means of bolts 57 passing through a slot 58 formed in one ofthe parts, in order that the lengthrof the connecting rod52 maybeadjusted when setting up the apparatus.

Referring now to Figures 4 andS, the movement of the piston rod 20 isarranged to operate the main actu ating valve 61 of the unit, whichvalve is secured to the back of the plate 1. The valve '61 is providedwith an;

operating rod 62 which passes slidably through a'lug 63.

This lug is part of the bridge 21 and projects rearwardly through a slot64 formed in the plate 1.

The movements of the lug 63 are transmitted to the rod 62 through thrustsprings 65 and 66 which are interposed between the lug 63 and two thrustcollars 67 and 68, which are secured to the rod 62. 'During the-initialmovement of the lug 63 in either. direction, the movement of the rod 62is prevented by the engagement of one or other of a pair of spring-urgedpawls '69 and-70, which are pivoted to the plate! at 71 and 72respectively, with the collar 67 or 68, as the case maybe. As soon,how'- ever, as the lug 63 has completed a predetermined proportion ofits stroke, during, which is compresses the spring 65 or 66,- this lugengages a cam face 73 or 74 on the pawl 69jor 70, respectively, in orderto disengage that pawl from the corresponding collar 67 or68. I Theoperating rod 62 thencarries out its stroke to operate the actuatingvalve. r v

Referring now more particularly to Figure 5, the actuating valve 61comprises: two body parts 77 {and 78 and two cover plates 79 and 80, allof which parts are secured together by means of suitable studs orboltsfsuch asthosfe shown at 81 in Figure 4. The part 77 is formed withan axial bore in which are assembled, with the provision of suitablepackings and securing means of any suitable type, two sleeves 82 and 83separated by a stop washer $4. Slidably mounted in the sleeve 83 is ahollow timing valve piston 85, which is secured at one end to theoperating rod 62 and the other end of which is closed by a projectingstriker 86. This striker, during the inward stroke of the valve 85 (tothe left as viewed in Figures 4 and 5) engages a dash-pot piston 87which is mounted in the sleeve or barrel 82 and which is urged to theright by means of a compression spring 83. The interior of the sleeve82, behind the piston 87, is supplied with oil from a reservoir 89(Figure 4) through a feed pipe 90 and a suitable nonreturn valve (notshown), which oil is returned to the reservoir 89 through aflow-restriction device (not shown) and a return pipe 91 during themovement of the piston 87 to the left, the whole providing a dash-pot ofconventional form. This clamps the movement of the timing valve 85 tothe left but the movement of this valve to the right is unrestricted.

The timing valve piston 85 is formed externally with a series of annularlands 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96 which are bounded and separated from eachother by annular sealing rings 97, 93, 99, 100, 101 and 102. Threeseries of ports 103, 104 and 195 connect the inner bore 106 of the valve85 with the lands 92, 94 and 96, respectively.

The sleeve 83 and the body 77 are formed with an air inlet port 109,with three exhaust ports 110, 111 and 112 leading to atmosphere and withthree transfer ports 113, 114 and 115, which latter open into threevalve cylinders 116, 117 and 118 formed in the body 78. Service air,that is air under permanent pressure, is supplied from a suitable sourcethrough an inlet connection 129 and a passage 121 in the body 78 to theinlet port 109 and thence to the bore 106 in the piston $5, it beingnoted that this air connection is maintained open irrespective of theposition of the piston 85. Service air is also supplied from the inlet128 by Way of a passage 122 and other passages (not shown) to centralports formed in the cylinders 116, 117 and 118.

The cylinders 116, 117 and 118 are fitted with sleeves 123, 124 and 125respectively, in each of which is slidably mounted a piston valve 126,127 or 128, respectively. The piston 126 is movable downwardly byservice air pressure admitted through the port 113 under the control ofthe timing valve 85 and upwardly by service air pressure which issupplied to a lower inlet connection 129 by way of a connecting pipe 138(Figure 1) under the control of series valves (to be described) whichare means of pipes 151 and 132 with the opposite ends of the cylinder19. The parts of valve 116, 123, 126,

which is of standard construction, are so designed that when the pistonvalve 126 is in its lower position, as shown in Figure 5, service airfrom the inlet 121) is supplied to the left-hand end of the cylinder 19(as viewed in Figure l) in order to cause the piston 29 to make itsreturn (inward) stroke (away from the position shown in Figures 1 and4). When the piston valve 126 is moved upwardly, by air admitted to thelower end of the cylinder 116 from the connection 129, it admits serviceair to the opposite (right hand in Figure 1) end of the cylinder 19 soas to cause the piston 20 to make an outward stroke. The valve 126 alsoprovides, in known manner, for the exhaust of air from that end of thecylinder 19 opposite that to which pressure air is being admitted. Thisexhaust is effected through a pair of manually-adjustable exhaustvalves, one of which is shown at 133 in Figure 4. By adjusting thesevalves the rate of travel of the piston 20 can be controlled.

The piston valves 127 and .128 are forced downwardly by service airpressure admitted by the ports 114 and 115, respectively, but theirreturn movement is effected by the action of compression springs 134 and135 respectively. For practical convenience the piston valves 127 and128 are shown as being of the same standard construction as the pistonvalve 126, but the sleeves 124 and 125 and the related ports andpassages in the valve block 73 are so constructed that the valves 127and 128 control merely the supply of air from the inlet 120 to the baseand head valve assemblies 15 and 17 (as will be described) and theexhaust of air from these assemblies.

The references 136 and 137 in Figure 4 indicate connections from thevalve cyiinders 117 and 118, which are connected by means of flexiblepipes (not shown) with the base assembly 15 and with the head assembly17, respectively.

When the valves 127 and 128 are in their upper posirions, as shown inFigure 5, they are closed and cut ofi the flow of service air to theassemblies 15 and 17, while connecting the latter to exhaust. When thevalves 127 and 123 are depressed by air pressure admitted through theports 114 and 115, they close the exhaust ports (not shown) and connectthe service air supply to the assemblies 15 and 17.

It may be noted that the construction of the timing valve 85 is suchthat when the valve is in the extreme right-hand position, as shown inFigure 5, the supply of air to the valve cylinders 117 and 118 is cutoil, the upper ends of these cylinders being connected to the exhaustports 111 and 112, respectively. When, however, the timing valve 85 ismoved to the left air is admitted to the cylinders 117 and 113 tooperate the valves 127 and 128 respectively, thereby causing service airto be supplied to the valve assemblies 15 and 17. It should be notedthat the valves 127 and 123 are only depressed after the head assembly17 has been lowered into contact with the belt 9 and also that the valve85 is so designed that it cuts off the air supply to the cylinder 117 ofthe valve 127, which controls the supply of air to the base valveassembly 15, earlier in the course of its travel than the supply to thecylinder 118 of the valve 128, which controls the air supply to the headunit 17. The reason for this will be explained.

When the timing valve 85 is in its left hand position (Figure 5) theupper end of the cylinder 116 is open to the exhaust port 93, thusallowing the upward movernent of the piston valve 126 to be effected byservice air supplied under the control of the previously-mentionedseries valves.

As has been stated above, the valves 126, 127 and 128 are ofconventional design and their construction and the arrangement of thevarious associated ports and passages in the body 7% will not be furtherdescribed.

The master control unit which has been described so far may be designedto operate and control any desired number of remote slave control units,to each one of which it is connected by means of a small bore pipe whichtransmits pulses of fluid pressure energy therebetween. Six suchconnecting pipes 141 to 145 inclusive are shown in Figures 1 and 4, butfor convenience the operation of the apparatus will be described asapplied to the control of three units only, utilising the connections141, 142 and 143. The additional connection 147 is adapted to beconnected to an external starting or control valve, as will bedescribed.

The operation of the apparatus will be described on the basis of the useof a single perforated belt 9, such as is shown in Figure 6. The sensingperforations in this belt are arranged in longitudinal columns, A, B, Cand M, one of the columns A, B and C being provided for each of theremote actuating units and the column M being provided for a mastercontrol, as will be described. In each of the columns A, B, and C theperforations are arranged in pairs, one perforation, such as 151, ofeach pair being an action perforation adapted to initiate assemblies.

" foration, the purpose of which is to ensure that the next 'stage inthe, operation of; the apparatus can only take place after themechanism, the operation of which was initiated by the corresponding.action-perforat1on has completed this operation, as will be described.The perforations151 and 152 are shown as being diagonally staggered,corresponding to the position of sensing ports formed in the headand'base assemblies 17 and .15, the

, arrangement being such that when the .action perforation 151 isbetween the corresponding action ports7 (to be described) in the headand'base assemblies the corresponding co'ntro perforation 152 issimultaneously between the corresponding control ports in the Otherarrangements of the perforations would, however, be possible. I For.example, the corresponding action and vcontrol perforations 151 and 152could be aligned with each other transversely across the belt, or allthe action and control perforations of each column could be aligned in asingle longitudinalline, providingthey are so spaced in relation to theindexing movement of the'belt that at the end of each indexingmovementonly action perforations: are opposite, action ports and only controlperforations are opposite control ports. Such an arrangementof actionperforations 153 and control perforations 154 is shown in Figure 7,which illustrates the provision of 'aseparate narrow belt 155 for eachunit to be controlled. An additional belt (not shown) would also be usedto provide the master control, as will be described.

In order to accommodate a number of narrow belts the drum (Figure 4)would be provided with an appropriate number ofsets ofprojections toengage the sprocket holes 156 (Figure 7) in the various belts.

The belts 9 and 155 are not shown to scale in Figures '6 and 7, but itmay be noted that the longitudinaldistances between successive actionperforations'and the corresponding distances between controlperforations are in all cases equal to the distance d through which thebelt is moved at each indexing operation'or to an exact multiple of thisdistance. V i i f Referring nowtoFigure 8 to ll, these are diagrammaticviews illustrating the arrangement and operation of the air passages,ports and valves in thehead and base' assemblies 17 and 15. In Figures 8to. 10, which show the position of the parts in different stages of theoperation of theapparatus, the sections are taken in two vertical planesparallel to the length of the belt 9, the section on the left hand sideof the line X corresponding to the lateral position of the controlperforations 152 in the belt 9 and the section on the'right hand side ofthe line X corresponding to the lateral position of the actionperforations 151;. Figure 11 is a vertical section taken trans- .verselyto the belt, the section being, however, adapted to pass through boththe action and control ports in'the assemblies 17 and 15, although theseports are actualiy staggered diagonally in a similar manner to theperforations 151 and 152 in the belt. 1

'As shown in Figures 8 to -ll, the head and base assemblies 17 and areformed, for each of the columns A, B and C in the belt L withregistering action'and control ports'161, 162, 163 and 164,respectively,.each of which ports is provided with a seal, such as 165(omitted for the sake of clearness from Figure 11), madei of a resilientmaterial, such as natural or. artificial rubber} or a suitable syntheticplastic. The belt 9 travels incontact with the seals onthe base assembly15,. but it is engaged by the seals of the head assembly 17 only whenthe latter is'moved to its lower position, as has been described. (seeFigures 9 and 10). The head andbase assemblies are also tionspsuch as168 (Figure 6), forn1ed, in the belt 9. 'The port 167 is connected by apipe 169 (see also Figure 4) to the connection147. V f V It will. be:appreciated that when the head 17 is lowered into contact with the belt9, asshown in Figures 9 and i0, fluid-tight connections are formedbetween those :of the upper ports 161, 163 and 166 and thecorrespondinglower ports162, 164 and 167 which register with perforations in the belt9. Where, however, there is no perforation the flow of fluid isprevented.

. The is formed with a manifold 170 which is connected via'theconnection 137 (Figure 4) with the valve cylinder 118 (Figure 5) whilethe base unit 15 is formed with a manifold 171 which is connected viathe connection 136 (Figure '4) with the valve cylinder 117 (Figure'b').Air is thereby supplied under pressure to ally the action ports 161 inthe head 17 and to a corresponding'number of valve cylinders-172 formedin the base unit 15,'all under the control of the: piston valves 128 and127, respectively. As has been stated, owingto the delayed opening ofthe valves 128 and 127, suchair is only supplied after the head 17 hasbeen lowered intocontact with the belt 9. a f

If there is an action perforation in position between any pair'ot theports 161 and 162, the air from the'manifold 170 is transmitted to theupper end of the ,corre sponding cylinder 172, where it acts on theupper end'of a piston valve 173, which is thereby forced downwardly.

against the force of a spring 174'. As shown, each of the cylinders 172is formed with three ports opening into air passages 175, 176 and 177.All the passages lead V a control port 164.

Formed in the head assembly 17 above each of the upper control ports 163is a valve cylinder 180, provided with a piston valve 181 which isspring-urgeddownwardly by means of a compression spring 132. Eachcylinder is formed with a pair of ports 183 and 1 84and the ports ofsuccessive cylinders are connected in'seriesas. shown in Figure 11, thisseries connection also including a master valve cylinder 185communicating with the upper-master control port 166, in which cylindera similar spring-urged piston valve 186 is mounted. The inlet port' 183of the first of the series valve cylinders 18% (Figure 11) is connectedby a pipe 187 to the source of service air, while the final port 188ofthe master series valve cylinder 185 is connected 'to the inletconnection 129 below the piston 126 of the valve controlling the operaWhen one of the piston valves 173 is depressed by the 1 pressure of airtransmitted through an action perforation between the ports 161 and 162,it opens connection between the air manifold 171 and the correspondingcontrol line, such as141, and pressure air is thereby trans:

mitted through the line 141 to operate the corresponding actuating unit.As has been explained, the valve 127 (Figure 5) moves to its upperposition, thus cutting otf the supply of service airto the manifold 171,and connecting the latter to exhaust, before the valve 128 moves up:wardly. i Consequently during the time that the valve 173 is helddepressed by air pressure the control line 141 'isconnected to exhaustand pressure in it is relieved. 1

As will be described, the remote slave control units connected to thelines 141, 142 and 143 are so constructed that, when the mechanismoperated or controlled by .one of the units has completed its prescribedmovement, pressure air is returned by the said unit to the correspondingline 141, 142 or 143. By this time the upward movement of the valve 128will have allowed air to exhaust from the manifold 170 and thecorresponding valve 173 will be in its upper position, as shown inFigure 10. The returning air pressure from the control line, such as141, will thereby be conveyed past the valve 173, through the ports 164and 163, via the corresponding control perforation in the belt 9, andinto the lower end of the appropriate valve cylinder 180. The valve 181will thereby be moved into its upper position, as shown in Figure 10, toprovide a connection between the ports 183 and 184 of its cylinder 180.

As will appear from a consideration of Figure 11, the service air fromthe connection 187 can only be transmitted through the head 17 providingthat all the series valves 181 and the valve 186 are in their raisedpositions. Should any valve remain in its lower position, like thesecond valve of Figure 11, the supply of service air to the lower end ofthe valve cylinder 116 (Figure will be cut oil and the next indexingoperation of the mechanism operated by the cylinder 19 cannot takeplace. Consequently, the initiation of an indexing operation after theoperation of one or more of the slave control units provides a sureindication that the mechanisms controlled by those units must havecompleted their prescribed operations so as to cause the transmission ofreturn control signls in the form of pressure air back along thecorresponding control lines, such as 141, in order to lift thepreviously depressed piston valve 181.

In order to provide for those cases in which no operation of aparticular mechanism is required and for which, consequently, no actionand control perforations are provided in the belt 9, each of the valvepistons 181 is provided with a dependent feeler member 198. Where thereis a control perforation in the belt the corresponding feeler memberdrops freely through it, as shown in Figure 9. Where, however, there isno such perforation the engagement of the feeler member 190 with thebelt holds the corresponding valve member 181 in its upper position,assuming that the head 17 is engaged with the belt, as is also shown inthe case of the third valve member 181 in Figure 11.

The master control valve 186 is also provided with a similar feelermember 191. So long as there is no perforation 168 (Figure 6) in themaster control column M in the belt 9, this feeler member 191 maintainsthe valve 186 in its raised position, the head 17 being in contact withthe belt 9. This ensures that, immediately all those mechanisms whichhave been operated by air pressure transmitted through the appropriateaction perforations in the belt 9 have completed their requiredoperations and the resulting control signals transmitted back along thecontrol lines have raised the corresponding valves 181, service air willautomatically be transmitted from the service air connection 187 throughthe port 188 and connection 129 (Figure 5) to the lower end of the valvecylinder 116. This will initiate the next indexing operation. Thus theapparatus will produce a continuous cycle of operations of themechanisms controlled by it.

In cases, however, when a limited cycle of operations is required and itis desired to provide separate means for starting successive indexingoperations, a master control perforation 168 is provided in theappropriate place in the belt 9. This allows the valve 186 to remain inits lower position, when the head 17 descends, thus preventing thesupply of air to the lower end of the valve cylinder 116 unless thevalve 186 is raised by independent means. These means may be operatedmanually, mechanically or otherwise, either in accordance with the willof the operator or automatically upon the completion of some prescribedoperation or upon theoccurrence of some particular condition in theapparatus controlled. For this purpose the lower master control port 167is connected by way of the line 169, connection 147 and a suitablecontrol valve 193, with the service air supply. Operation of the valve193, allowing the air to be admitted to the cylinder 185, causes theraising of the piston valve 186 and the initiation of an indexingoperation, assuming that all the valves 181 are in their raisedpositions. The cutting off of the air supply and the opening of theconnection 168 to exhaust, by the valve 193, frees the piston valve 186so that the feeler 191 will drop through the next perforation to comeopposite it in the belt 9, thus causing the arrival of such aperforation to cause a halt in the operation of the indexing mechanismand of the apparatus as a whole.

As will be clear from a consideration of the drawings, all the pistonvalves 181 and 186 drop automatically when the head 17 is raised, thisacts as a safeguard; the valves are only required to allow the passageof air from the inlet 187 during the periods when the head 17 islowered.

Referring now to Figure 12, this shows the connection of the threecontrol lines 141, 142 and 143 to three slave control units 201, 2112and 2113. Each of these units controls the operation of a correspondingdouble-acting, airoperated ram 204, 295 or 2136, which is arranged tooperate, or which forms part of, mechanism controlled by the apparatus.Each such mechanism also includes a limit valve 2117, 288 or 269, whichis normally closed but which is opened momentarily when thecorresponding mechanism completes a prescribed operation.

The units 201, 2112 and 293 and the limit valves 2117, 208 and 2119 aresupplied, through pipe lines 210 and 211, with service air from the samesupply main 212 which supplies the master control unit. Lines 213, 214and 215 connect the limit valves 2117, 288 and 289 with thecorresponding units 281, 2 112 and 293.

The slave control units 201, 252 and 293 are of similar construction andone of these, 2'31, will now be described with reference to Figures 13to 16. These figures show the unit in four different stages of itsoperation.

The unit 261 comprises a body 220 which is formed with three valvecylinders 221, 222 and 223, in which are mounted piston valves 224, 225and 226. The valves 224 and 226 are inter-connected mechanically bymeans of a toggle-action mechanism comprising a pair of arms 227 and 228which are pivoted to a support 229 and which are connected together bymeans of a tension spring 230. The arms 227 and 228 are capable of onlylimited angular movement relatively to each other and provide a snapaction, toggle connection between the valve piston 224 and the valve226. The valve 224 is operated in each direction by fluid pressure fromthe control line 141, as will be described, and by its movement itoperates the valve 226 with a delayed snap, action.

The valve 225 is adapted to be operated to the left against the force ofa return spring 231 and by the pres sure of service air admitted throughthe limit valve 207 and line 213.

The valve body 2111 and the piston valves 224, 225 and 226 areconstructed and arranged and are formed with inter-connecting air ports,passages and lands as shown in Figures 13 to 16. The passages 232 and233 (Figure 13) are connected by pipes 234 and 235 (Figure 12) to theopposite ends of the ram 2114, while the passages 236 and 237 areexhaust passages.

Prior to the reception of an action signal along the line 141, the partsof the unit 2151 occupy the positions shown in Figure 13. When, however,an action signal is received the air pressure from the line 141 istransmitted to the right-hand end of the cylinder 221 through thepassages 2441, 241, 242 and 243 and past the lands 244, 245 and 246 inthe valves 225 and 226.

The piston 224, which was previously connecting the 'ate the valve 225against spring pressure. I 225 Completes its movement it allows the airpressure a a a service air'supply pipe 210 to one end of the ramcylinder 204, by way of the land. 247 and the passage 233, and

which was. connecting the other end of the "rarncylinder to the exhaust235 through the passage 232 and the land 248,.nw is thereby moved to theleft and reverses these connections, so that the passage 232 isconnected to the air'supply'210 by way of the land 247, while thepassage '233 is connected to the exhaust 237, by way of the land 248a,as is shown inFigure 14. During the latterrpart of the movement of thepiston 224, which is completed by the toggle mechanism, the valve 226 isalso moved plied through thepassage 232, the ram 204 is operated to'theopposite limit of its travel.

v 7 When it has done this, or alternatively when mechanism the operationof which was started by the movement of theram has completed its ownoperation, the limit'valve 207 is momentarily opened, thus causingservice air from the line 211 to be supplied to the right-hand end, ofthe cylinder 222 to oper- As the valve from 'the line 21310 bedelivered, as a controlsignal, through the remainder of the returnenergy supplying path which includes passages 249 in the valve piston225, and

V the control line 141. The pressure of this air, reaching the mastercontrol unit, operates the series valve 181 in the manner described.

The valve 207 is designed to return automatically to its originalposition, in which it cuts off the supply of air to the line 213 andputs the latter in communication with exhaust. This allows the valve 225to be returned to its by the spring 231, as shown in Figure right handposition '15.

When all the series valves 181, and also the valve 186,

are in their upper position, the belt 9' is indexed forward to its nextposition. Assuming that, intthisposition, action and-controlperforations again come opposite'the ports 161 and 163 in the head 17and the corresponding ports in the base 15, a fresh action signal willbe transmitted in the form of air pressure along the line 14 110 theunit 201. In this case, however, owing to the changed position of thevalve 226, as shown in Figure 15 'the air pressure will be transmitted,by way of thepass'ages 240, 241, 250 and 251 and the lands 244, 245 and252 to'the left hand end of the cylinder 221, thus forcingthe piston 224to the right. passages 232 and 233 to the fluid supply 210 and toexhaust, respectively, thus causing the ram 204 to make a stroke in thereturn direction. When it hasicompleted this stroke, or when themechanism controlled by it has completed its operation, the limit switch207 is opened and service air from the line 211 is again supplied as acontrol signal to the control line 141 by way of the passage 249, aspreviously described and as now shown in Figure 16.

The last movement of'the piston 224, acting through the togglemechanism, had the effect of returning the valve 226 to its initial,right hand position (Figures 13 and 16) thus ensuring that when the nextaction signal isreceived the valve 224 will again be operated to theleft in the manner previously described with reference to Figure 13.

now be briefly described.

It will'be assumed, in the first place, that the various parts 'of theapparatus are in the positions shown in Figures l to 5, 8 and 13. Thepiston 20. has just completed its outward stroke, during which the belt9 was indexed forward to bring a fresh set of perforations beneath portsThis reverses the connections of the in the head 17, which head is inits raised position, The timing valve 85 is in the position shown inFigure 5, in

which it admits service air to the upper end of the cylinder 116, andthe valve 126 having as a consequence, just been moved to its lowerposition, as shown. 'This allows service air to be admitted to theleft-hand end (Figur l) of the cylinder 19, thus causing the piston 2010riiakean inward or return stroke. yoke piece 25, with its 'cam face 27,causes the head 17 to be lowered into contact with the belt 9, as shownin Figure 9.

it will be assumed that, in this'parti'cular position of the belt 9,there are action and controlperforations 'reg'is;

tering with the corresponding ports in the head 17'a'njd base 15 whichcontrol the two units 201'and 202 (through the lines 141 and 142) butnot the unit 203, as isfshown It will also. be assumed that there is noin Figure 11.

7 'master control perforation'between the ports 166 and 167,

,of-the pistons 181, which is still in its lower position' The third ofthe pistons 181 and the piston-186 are held in their raised positions bythe engagement of; their feeler.

By virtue of the downward movement of: the head 17, the third of thepistons 181 (Figure ll and the piston 186 are raised, by the engagementof their feelerfmema; bers 190 and 191 against the belt 9,'into theirupper pos itions in their cylinders 180 and 185. In' the case, however,of the first two pistons 181 their feeler members 190 V 7 pass freelythrough the perforations in the belt 9 and the pistons remain in theirlower positions, as shown in Figure 9.

During the'latter'part of the inward movement of the piston 20 thetiming valve is moved to the left (Figure 7 5) upon the disengagement ofthe pawl 69 (Figure 4) from the collar 67. Thevalve 85 at onceadmitsairto' the upper ends of the valve cylinders 117 and 118,-=therebydepressing the piston valves 127 and 128, These valves admit service airtothe manifolds and'171v in the head 17 and base 15 respectively, itbeing noted:

that the head 17 has previously been lowered, as de scribed, intofluid-tight contact'with the'belt. 1

action perforations in the belt 9 and allows air from the manifold 171to be transmitted down the-control lines 141 and 142 to operate units201 and 202. ,The unit'203 is not operated.

- The dashpot 82, 87- retards the movement ofthe'tim; ing valve 85 tothe left, but after a short 'interval-the movementof this valve cuts offthe supply offservice' 'air' first to the cylinder 117 and then to thecylinder 118, these 7 cylinders being connected to exhaust. Theresulting-upward movement of the valve 127 connects the manifold 171 toexhaust, thus relieving the pressure in all-the con trol lines 141, 142and 143, after which the connectio'n of the manifold 170 to exhaust bythe upward movement of the valve 128 relieves the'pressure in themanifold 170 and allows those pistons 173 which have been depressedpressure signals along the lines'1'41- and 142.- These signals, passingthrough the control perforations, raise the corresponding pistons 181,as shown in Figure 10, thus.

connecting the ports 1% and 184.- V

Figure 11 shows the first of the pistons been raised in this manner but,owing .possibly'toa failure of the corresponding mechanism to operatecorrectly, no

returnsignaLhas yet been received to raise the second Theresulting'mo'veni'ent of the 181to have 7 members 190 and 191 againstthe belt 9, as already described.

Owing to the second piston 181 remaining depressed, no air from theinlet connection 187 is transmitted through the series valves and theport 188 to the lower end of the valve cylinder 116 (FigureConsequently, the piston 3.26 remains in its lower position and theapparatus will come to rest with no further operation of the indexingmechanism. This will indicate to the operator that there is a fault.

Should, however, the mechanism be operating correctly the second piston151 will be raised by the return air pressure signal and air will besupplied through the series valves to the lower end of the cylinder 116,thus raising the valve 125. This reverses the air connections to thecylinder 19 and the piston 20 is thereby caused to make its next outwardstroke. During the first part of this stroke the lost motion connectionprovided by the slide 53 operating in the slot 26 in the yoke piece 25prevents the drive plate 37 from being operated. The first operationproduced by the moving of the yoke piece 25 is the raising of the head17, by the engagement of the cam face 27 with the roller 28. Thislifting of the head from the belt 9 allows the latter to be indexedforwardly during the last part of the stroke of the piston 20 and bringsthe apparatus to the state shown in the drawings, with the consequentinitiation of a further series of control operations.

The apparatus will continue to operate in this manner until the belt 9is brought into a position in which a master control perforation isbeneath the feeler member 191, which allows the piston 186 to remain inits lower position in its cylinder when the head 17 is lowered. Thisprevents the completion of the connection from the inlet through theseries valves to the cylinder 116 and prevents any further indexing. Inorder to re-start the operation of the apparatus the piston 186 must beraised. This could be done purely mechanically, but in the constructionshown it is effected by operating the valve 193 in order to cause airpressure, passing through the master control perforation in the belt, toact on the piston 186.

The valve 193 could be operated manually by the operator, or it could beoperated automatically in response to some particular condition ofapparatus which is associated with the mechanism controlled by the units291, 2%2 and 2&3. The valve 193 could, for example, be made responsiveto temperature or pressure conditions, to the completion of counting orother mechanical operations, or it might be actuated by further controlapparatus connected with some other group of units in a sectionalisedinstallation.

Figure 17 illustrates diagrammatically the application of the inventionto a turret lathe. Such a lathe could have any desired number ofcontrols, dependent on its construction and on the purpose for which itis to be used, but five such controls are shown.

These controls comprise a start-stop control 301, a forward-reversecontrol 392, a bar chuck control 303, a cross slide control mounted onthe cross slide 304, and a turret control 395.

All these controls are arranged to be operated by means ofdouble-acting, fluid-pressure-operated rams 3%, 3537, 398, 3G9 and 310respectively, each of which corresponds in principle to one of the rams204 to 206 of Figure l2 and each of which is provided with a unit 311,312, 313, 314- and 315, which units correspond to the units 261 to 293and each of which includes a limit switch (not shown).

The units 311 to 315 are connected to the master control unit (notshown) by means of small-diameter air lines 316 to 320, while pressureoperating air is supplied to the rams 306 to 310 by means of service airlines 321 to 325.

The operation of the apparatus will be clear from the precedingdescription, it being noted that any selected sequence and timing of theoperations of the lathe can be obtained by the use of a suitable sensingbelt or belts.

It maybe noted that althoughthe use of a single sensing belt 9 (Figure8) has been more particularly described it is often advantageous andpreferable to use a number of individual belts, such as that shown inFigure 7.

Various modifications are possible. For example, a liquid or other fluidmedium difierent from the sensing medium which is passed through thebelt, could be used as the control fluid. Alternatively, other meanswhich might be electrical or mechanical for example, could be used tocause the passage of the sensing fluid to control the operation of thecontrolled mechanisms such as the rams 204, 205 and 2%. For example, thefluid pressure operated devices 173 (Figure 11) could be arranged tocontrol electrical circuits which are connected to and are arranged tooperate the units 291, 202 and 203, which units would be modified inorder to respond, in an analogous manner, to electrical instead of tofluid pressure actuation.

Alternatively, it might be possible to provide a positive mechanicalconnection between the members 173 and the units 201, 262 and 263.

With the above arrangements the return signals could be electrical ormechanical, instead of in the form of fluid pressure signals. They couldbe transmitted back to the master control unit along the same lines aswere used for the initial control signals.

Instead of using reciprocating rams 264, 205 and 206, the controlmechanisms could be operated, or their operation could be controlled, bymeans including rotary motors operated by fluid pressure or byelectrical or other means, as will be apparent to those skilled in theart.

For certain applications it might be possible to dispense with the useof indexing mechanism and of a movable belt and to use a sensing memberin the form of a flat sheet or card, which is simply introduced manuallyor mechanically between the head 17 and the base 15. The position of theperforations in the sensing member would then select those out of anumber of mechanisms which would be operated simultaneously by signalstransmitted along the appropriate control lines.

For this application of the invention the head and base units wouldnormally be provided with a considerable number of perforations, whichcould be spaced from each other both laterally and longitudinally of theunits.

In the above way any combination of simultaneous operations could beproduced by using a sensing member having the appropriate perforations.

This application of the invention could be applied to such things asmass sorting, the selective direction and movement of articles and thesetting of the controls of multiple-purpose machines of various kinds.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described: the combination with a number ofoperating mechanisms actuated through individual energy supplying paths,control means normally interrupting each path and responsive toinitiation to establish said paths simultaneously and a master controlunit actuatable for supplying energy to initiate said control means; ofreleasable stop means responsive to actuation of said master controlunit for blocking further actuations thereof, and energy supplying meansoperatively connected to said stop means and to said operatingmechanisms to respond, only after the operation of all of saidmechanisms is completed, to release said stop means and unblock saidmaster control unit.

2. In apparatus of the class described: the combination with a number ofoperating mechanisms actuated through individual energy supplying paths,control means normally interrupting each path and responsive toinitiation to establish said paths simultaneously, and a master controlunit actuatable for supplying energy to initiate said control means; ofreleasable stop means responsive to actuation of said master controlunit for blocking further actuations thereof, an energy supplying pathconnected to said stop means for releasing the same to un- 15 V 7 blocksaid 'master control unit, and'path interrupting means controlled byeach operating mechanism and connected' in series in said' lastmentioned path to normally interrupt such path, each such pathinterrupting means being responsive,, only after the operation of itsassov ciated mechanism isicompleted, to establish the portion of saidlast mentioned path controlled by such interrupting means. i a 7 7 3. Inapparatusof the class described: the combination with a number ofoperatingmechanisms actuated through individual energy supplying paths,control means normally'interrupting each path and responsive toinitiation to establish said paths simultaneously, a master control unitactuatable for supplying energy to initiate said control mea'nspandenergy transmitting path means con- 7 meeting said control means andsaid master control unit;

of releasable stopmeans responsive to actuation of said mastercontrolunit for blocking further actuations thereof,'energy supplyingpath means operatively connected to said stop means, and pathinterrupting means normally blocking said supplying path means andoperatively connected to said operating mechanisms to respond, onlyafter the operation of all of said mechanisms is completed, to'

complete said energy supplyingpathmeans and release said stop means tounblocklsaid master control unit.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein a'control medium having pathestablishing portions in paired arrangement for simultaneousregistration with said energy transpath means and said energy supplyingpath means extend with saidcontrol medium disposed between said sections7 and establishing each path means from said head unit to said baseunit. I b t V V 6. The invention of claim 3 wherein said energy trans:mitting' path means and said energy supplying path means each include aplurality of parallel paths and said path interrupting means includes aplurality of elements, and a control medium, having path establishingportions arergy supplying path for each of said, path interrupting meansfor actuating the same to establish the energy supplying path for saidstop means, each return energy supplying path'being connected to one ofsaid first path interrupting means through one of said control units andmechanisms and responsive to the completed operation-l thereof forestablishing the associated return energy sup- V plying path.

ranged in cooperating pairs for simultaneousregistration withcorresponding paths'of said energy transmitting path r means and saidenergy supplying path means and havinglrpath interrupting portionsarranged in cooperating pairs for simultaneous registration with othercorresponding paths of said energytransmittin path means and said 7energy supplying path means, is interposed in each of said path means toactuate said master control unit and permit energy flow over said firstmentioned'corresponding paths while blocking energy flow over saidlast-mentioned corresponding :paths, said control medium cooperatingwith said elements such thatsaid path interrupting portions eni gagetheielements associated with the paths interrupted thereby and preventsaid last-mentioned portions from inmaster controlrunit actuatable forsupplying energy, and

a number of parallel. energy transrnitting paths connecting saidseparate control units to said master control unit such that actuationof said master unit initiates said separateacontrol unitssimultaneously; of releasable stop means responsive to actuation of saidmaster control unit for blocking further, actuations thereof; an energysup-' plying path connected to'said stop means for actuating the same tounblock said master control unit, said last mentioned path includingseries connected path interrupting means, there being one such pathinterrupting means' for eachpar allelenergy, transmitting path, areturn'en- 8. In apparatus of the class described: the combination withan operating mechanism actuated through an energy supplying path; acontrol unit normally interrupting said path and responsive toenergization to establish said .path, a master control unit actuatablefor supplying 7 energy through an energy transmitting'path to energize"said control unit and establish said energy supplying path; 7

same and responsive to the' completed operation of said mechanism forestablishing said path, and a control medium, having path establishingportions in paired arrangement for simultaneous registration with saidenergy transmitting path and said return'energy supplying path means,interposed in each of'said path means to control actuation of saidmaster control unit. 7 1

9. In apparatus of the class described: the combination with anoperating mechanism actuated through an energy supplying path, a controlunit normally interrupting said path and responsive to energization toestablish said path, a m aster control unit actuatable for supplyingenergy through an energy transmitting path to energize said control unitand establish said energy supplying path;

of releasable stop means responsive to actuation of said control unit, apath interrupting element in said second energy supplying path normallyinterrupting the same and connected to said operating mechanism torespond to the completed operation of said mechanism and establish saidsecond energy supplying path, and a control'medium, having pathestablishing portions in paired arrangement for simultaneousregistration with said energy transmitting path and said second energysupplying path, interposed in each of said last mentioned paths tocontrol actuation of said lmaster control unit. 10. Inapparatus of theclass described: the combination with an operating mechanism actuatedthrough an energy supplying path, a control unit normally interrupt-1ing said path and responsive to energization .to establish said path,amaster control unit actuatable for supplying energy throughan energytransmitting path to energize said control unit and establish saidenergy supplying path;

master control unit for blocking further actuations there- :of, a secondenergy supplying path connected to said stop means for releasing thesame to unblock said master control unit, path interrupting means insaid second energy supplying path normally interrupting the same and ofreleasable stop, means responsive to actuation of said" of establishingportions in paired arrangement for simultaneous registration with saidenergy transmitting path and said second energy supplying path andhaving a main control portion cooperating with one of said sets forsimultaneous coaction with said path establishing means to actuate thesame and interrupt said second energy supplying path, said controlmedium being interposed in each of said last mentioned paths to controlactuation of said master control unit.

11. The invention of claim wherein an indexing mechanism moves said setsinto registration with said paths successively in response to eachrelease of said stop means such that operation continues until saidoperating mechanism fails or said main control portion engages said pathestablishing means.

12. In a master control unit having an energy transmitting path forcontrolling the initiation of operation of a mechanism, said unit beingactuatable to supply control energy through said path, releasable stopmeans responsive to actuation of said master control unit to preventfurther actuation thereof and hence to prevent said unit from againsupplying energy through said path, and an energy supplying path forreleasing said stop means, said energy supplying path being responsiveto the completed operation of said mechanism for supplying releasingenergy to said stop means, the improvement wherein said master controlunit includes a movable control medium having successive sets of pathestablishing portions in paired arrangement for simultaneousregistration with said paths with said medium interposed in each of saidpaths to control actuation of said master control unit.

13. In a master control unit having an energy transmitting path forcontrolling the initiation of operation of a mechanism, said unit beingactuatable to supply control energy through said path, releasable stopmeans responsive to actuation of said master control unit to preventfurther actuation thereof and hence to prevent said unit from againsupplying energy through said path, and an energy supplying path forreleasing said stop means, said energy supplying path being responsiveto the completed operation of said mechanism for supplying releasingenergy to said stop means, the improvement wherein said master controlunit includes a movable control medium having successive sets of pathestablishing portions in paired arrangement for simultaneousregistration with said paths with said medium interposed in each of saidpaths to control actuation of said master control unit, and an indexingmechanism operating said movable control medium to move said sets intoregistration with said paths successively in response to each release ofsaid stop means such that operation of said mechanism repeats.

14. In a master control unit having an energy transmitting path forcontrolling the initiation of operation of a mechanism, said unit beingactuatable to supply control energy through said path, releasable stopmeans responsive to actuation of said master control unit to preventfurther actuation thereof and hence to prevent said unit from againsupplying energy through said path, and an energy supplying path forreleasing said stop means, said energy supplying path being responsiveto the completed operation of said mechanism for supplying releasingenergy to said stop means, the improvement wherein said master controlunit includes path establishing means in series in said energy supplyingpath, a movable control medium, having successive sets of pathestablishing portions in paired arrangement for simultaneousregistration with said paths and having a main control portioncorresponding to one of said sets and coacting with said pathestablishing means to actuate the same and interrupt said energysupplying path interposed in each of said paths to control actuation ofsaid master control unit, and an indexing mechanism engages said controlmedium to move said sets into registration with said paths successivelyin response to each release of said stop means such that said mechanismrepeats its operation until said main control portion engages said pathestablishing means.

15. The invention of claim 12 wherein the master control unit has a headsection and a base section provicling successive portions of each ofsaid paths with said control medium disposed between said sections andestablishing each path from said head section to said base section.

16. The arrangement of claim 7 wherein a control pulse of energy oflimited duration is transmitted along the energy transmitting paths fromsaid master control unit to said separate control units and terminatesprior to the start of a return pulse of energy of limited durationdelivered along the return energy supplying paths.

17. The arrangement of claim 16 wherein the control and return pulsesare provided by fluid under pressure, the pressure in the energytransmitting paths being relieved between the end of the control pulseand the start of the return pulse.

18. The arrangement of claim 12 wherein fluid circuits constitute saidpaths and wherein said control medium consists of a movable belt havingsuccessive sets of fluid perforations in paired arrangement forsimultaneous registration with said fluid circuits, said belt beinginterposed in each of said circuits.

19. The arrangement of claim 18 wherein the master control unit has ahead section and a base section providing successive fluid circuitportions through which said fluid circuits extend with the movable beltbeing disposed between said sections and controlling the establishmentof said fluid circuits therethrough, the head section being movabletowards and away from the base section and being supplied with actuatingfluid for controlling the initiation of operation of said mechanism.

20. The arrangement of claim 19 wherein an indexing mechanism operatessaid movable belt to move said sets of perforations into registrationwith said fluid circuits successively in response to each release ofsaid stop means, said indexing mechanism operating in conjunction withthe movable section such that the movable section is moved intoengagement with the control belt after the completion of an indexingoperation and such that said head section is disengaged from the controlbelt prior to the starting of a further indexing operation.

21. The arrangement of claim 19 wherein said belt is formed with masterperforations corresponding to one or more of said sets and wherein valvemeans are carried in the head section in the fluid circuit portion thatforms a part of said energy supplying path, said valve means havingfeeler means projecting from said head section for engagement with saidcontrol belt or for passage through master perforations therein, thearrangement being such that where there is a perforation, the valvemeans is actuated to establish said energy supplying path only by manualcontrol Whereas in the absence of a perforation the valve means isactuated by engagement of said feeler means with said belt.

22. The arrangement of claim 7 wherein fluid circuits constitute theparallel energy transmitting paths, and the return energy supplyingpaths, and wherein said master control unit includes a head section anda base section forming successive fluid circuit portions through whichsaid fluid circuits extend, and a movable control belt having successivesets of perforations in paired arrangement for simultaneous registrationwith selected sets of said fluid circuit portions is interposed betweensaid sections to control the establishment of said fluid circuitstherethrough, the head section being movable towards and away from saidbase section and being supplied with actuating fluid for controlling theinitiation of operation of the mechanisms associated with said selectedsets of fluid circuit portions.

i'23'."lhe arrangement ofclaim ZZ'vVherein-the .firstmentioned 1. pathinterrupting means carry movably mountedifeelers. that project from saidhead section to engage the belt or to pass through a perforation in thebelt such that absence of a perforation moves the feeler relative to;the head section and establishes the path portion" controlled by thepath interrupting means that carries said feeler. ,"24.'In apparatusofthe type wherein an operating mechanism is actuated through an actuatingpath, control means normally interrupt said path and respond toinitiation to establish said path, an energy transmitting path connectssaid control means toa master control unit that is actuatable for supplypulses of energy to initiate said control means,'releasable stop meansrespond to actuation' of said master control unit for blocking furtheractuations thereofgand a return energy supplying path actuates said stopmeans in response to the completed operationofisaid mechanism to releasesaid stop means 7 and iinbloc'k-said master control [uni t, theimprovem'ent wherein said return path is connected to said controlmeans, and said control means includes movable means responsive toinitiation by a pulse of control energy from said master control unitfor movement to establish said actuating path, and second movable meansconnected to and responsive to movement of said first mentioned movablemeans for establishing a connecting path from :said

. return path to said transmitting path whereby pulses of return energyreturn through said transmitting path for releasing said stop means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS HudsonSept. 10,

